Technologies
In one embodiment, a concentrically baffled reactor includes an outer housing that defines an interior space, an inlet through which material can be delivered into the interior space, an outlet through which material can be removed from the interior space, and multiple concentric baffles within the interior space that define multiple concentric reactor zones through which the material can sequentially flow to the outlet.Energy Engineering
A system includes at least one reusable nutrient cartridge including an outer housing having an inlet and an outlet, and nutrient-adsorbing material contained within the housing, the material being configured to adsorb nutrients, wherein the cartridge is configured to be charged with nutrients by flowing a nutrient stream through the inlet, through the nutrient-adsorbing material, and through the outlet to enable the nutrient-adsorbing material to adsorb the nutrients, wherein the cartridge is also configured to be later discharged of the nutrients by flowing water through the inlet, through the nutrient-adsorbing material, and through the outlet so as to transfer the nutrients to the water to generate a dilute nutrient solution suitable for use as a fertilizer.Agriculture, Energy & Environment
Advantages:
Protects algae from contaminants to provide consistent biomass, Cost reducing low-energy passive systems, Automated cultivation and harvesting, Increased capacity for same footprint.
In one embodiment, an algae cultivation system includes a basin that contains a liquid and a photobioreactor at least partially immersed in the liquid of the basin, the photobioreactor comprising a closed container including multiple panels that together define an interior space in which algae can be cultivated, at least one of the panels being transparent, the photobioreactor further comprising an inflatable float associated with the container that can be filled with a gas to change one or both of the position and orientation of the container within the liquid. USF inventors have developed a novel method to cultivate, harvest, and dewater algae in wastewater. The method separates the culture from the growth media and includes a photobioreactor with a porous membrane filter that allows passive transport of constituents. A gas control valve allows for selective control over gases produced by algae growth. These gases are retained within the photobioreactor and increase the pressure within the space, allowing for passive dewatering of the algae before harvesting. This entire process improves the economic competitiveness as it saves energy and cost associated with sterilizing the media and dewatering the algae.